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Saints’ rare forays into Wolves territory ended with a disallowed try for Matt Dawson and with Ormsby, taking one for the team, sent to the sin-bin.

Their numerical advantage told with Alex Walmsley crossing, but 12-man Wolves hit back immediately after the break through Ryan Atkins, and following Ormsby’s return, Joel Monaghan and Matty Russell.

It was with 13 that Smith’s team were called into question, the retaliation leaving Wolves’ right side exposed as quickfire replies from Jordan Turner, Lance Hohaia and Matt Dawson prompted whispers of a comeback.

Not among the Wolves faithful, mind, as they had long made the Etihad their own and every tackle from their team’s superb scrambling defence was met with huge cheers.

Ratchford, who earlier made the space for Russell to sprint 80 metres to the line, had the composure to drop a goal that left Saints requiring three scores.

Joel Monaghan would have the last say, in an attempt to out-do Russell he had the legs after intercepting in his own half for number 103 in Wolves colours.

INTERESTING NOTES

Wolves have won all three Magic Weekend fixtures played at the Etihad Stadium

Ryan Atkins’ try was the 150th of his career, made up of 95 for Warrington, 49 for Wakefield and six for England. He has never failed to score at the Magic Weekend for Wolves